Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at the Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple in Thirupparankundram, Madurai.
During his visit to the revered temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the deity would guide the nation with strength, courage and wisdom. In a post on X, he said, “Vetrivel Muruganukku Arogara! Prayed at the Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple, Thirupparankundram, Madurai. Sought blessings for peace, prosperity and the well-being of all.”
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹4,400 crore in Madurai. Addressing a gathering in the temple city, he said the initiatives mark a significant chapter in Tamil Nadu’s development journey and are aimed at transforming connectivity, boosting economic growth and generating employment opportunities.
He emphasised that quality infrastructure empowers citizens by improving access to markets for farmers, easing travel for pilgrims and tourists, and enhancing transport efficiency for businesses.
Over the past 12 years, he noted, more than 4,000 kilometres of highways have been constructed in Tamil Nadu. Among the key projects announced were the four-laning of the Marakkanam-Puducherry national highway stretch, involving an investment of over ₹2,100 crore, and the Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram section, with an outlay exceeding ₹1,800 crore. The latter is expected to improve access to pilgrimage sites such as Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi and facilitate smoother movement of agricultural and marine products.
Highlighting railway modernisation, PM Modi said budget allocations for Tamil Nadu have increased nearly nine-fold compared to the 2009-14 period, rising from an average of ₹880 crore annually to ₹7,600 crore for 2026–27. He added that more than 1,300 kilometres of new tracks have been laid in the state, with 97 per cent electrification achieved.
The Prime Minister recalled inaugurating the new Pamban Bridge last year and said nine Vande Bharat and nine Amrit Bharat trains are currently serving Tamil Nadu, with coaches manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 77 railway stations in the state are being modernised, with eight redeveloped stations inaugurated on Sunday. The Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth line was also dedicated, aimed at easing congestion for daily commuters. Additionally, new Akashvani FM relay transmitters were launched in Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore.
The Prime Minister said infrastructure funding for Tamil Nadu has tripled compared to the previous decade and that the 2026 Union Budget continues to prioritise the state. He referred to proposed Bengaluru–Chennai and Chennai–Hyderabad bullet train corridors, which are expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity and economic activity.
He also highlighted plans to develop historic sites such as Adichanallur into global heritage destinations and promote ecotourism initiatives around Lake Pulicat and Podhigai Malai. Nearly 200 industrial clusters are set to be supported nationwide, a move he said would benefit Tamil Nadu’s youth and manufacturing sector.
Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to inclusive growth, the Prime Minister said Tamil Nadu would play a decisive role in India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
“Our collective goal is a developed Tamil Nadu for a developed India,” he said.
